If you’ve ever wondered whether the wrestling behavior between your cats means they’re playing or engaged in a tooth-and-nail battle, here are some clues.

·          If the cats are not normally friendly to each other, then the wrestling behavior is probably aggression, and not play.

·          During play, cats take turns being the mock aggressor. If one cat is repeatedly in the offensive position, then it’s probably not play.

·          During play, claws usually remain sheathed.

·          If there’s growling or screaming then it’s a battle and not a play session.

·          Evidence of tufts of hair or signs of blood indicates aggression.

·          If the cats involved are unneutered adults, then the wrestling is aggressive.

·          If the cats avoid each other afterward, then it wasn’t playful.

If you suspect that your cats are involved in an aggressive wrestling match, don’t try to separate them with your hands. Instead, make a noise to distract them so you can remain at a safe distance.

If the behavior is ongoing, do some behavior modification to help the cats feel more relaxed around each other. You can find behavior modification techniques in my books. Offer each cat treats in the presence of the other so they start associating each other with positive experiences. Also, make sure there’s enough space for each cat – that means providing more than one litter box, more than one feeding station, and plenty of areas for perching and playing.

For more information, refer to the book Cat vs Cat.

© 2009 Cat Behavior Associates, LLC